Goods service licence

A goods service delivers or carries goods, whether or not for hire or reward, using a motor vehicle that has a gross vehicle mass* of 6000kg or more, including one that is ‘on hire’ to carry goods.

*gross vehicle mass means the maximum safe operating mass for a vehicle (including the mass of any accessories, crew, passengers, or load) that is derived from the design, capabilities, and capacities of the vehicle’s construction, systems, and components, and that:

(a) is determined by:

(i) the Transport Agency; or

(ii) the manufacturer of the vehicle; or

(iii) if the vehicle is modified after manufacture, a certifier approved by the Transport Agency; and

a credit or debit card or your internet banking details to pay the fee ($449.80 for the application and $9.70 for the vetting).

*You’ll have a verified RealMe identity already if you’ve applied on the RealMe website and then visited a PostShop to have your photo taken, or signed up for a verified identity when you renewed your passport online.

the police vetting fee of $9.70 for each person that will be in control of the service

a certificate of knowledge of law and practice for a goods service.

Persons in control

Under section 30L of the Land Transport Act 1998, the NZ Transport Agency must be satisfied that anyone who will have, or is likely to have, control or involvement in the operation of the transport service is a fit and proper person.

Anyone who has direct or indirect control of any part of the management of the organisation must complete a Personal details form (TL02) [PDF, 135 KB] and provide evidence of identity. This is so we can determine if they all meet the requirements of a fit and proper person.

Evidence of identity

Each person in control must provide evidence of their identity with the application. This can be either:

their New Zealand photo driver licence, or

their passport.

These can be current or expired up to two years.

They must also provide a photocopy of their evidence of identity. They can either:

provide a certified copy* of their evidence of identity, or

provide a photocopy of their evidence of identity AND present the original driver licence or passport when the application is lodged at a driver licensing agent.

*A certified copy needs to be stamped or endorsed by a person who confirms that the copy is a true copy of the original document. This can be a:

Justice of the Peace.

Solicitor of the High Court.

Notary Public.

Deputy Registrar at a court (not all courts will be able to certify copies).

Passport and visa details

If you’re not a New Zealand citizen, you and/or your employer are responsible for making sure you’re eligible to work here. If you’re not sure, please contact Immigration New Zealand(external link).

Each person in control that isn’t a New Zealand citizen will need to provide their passport number and nationality and their work visa or permit start date on their Personal details form (TL02) [PDF, 135 KB] form.

This is so we can check with Immigration NZ that they have a right to live and work in New Zealand.

any history of persistent failure to pay fines for transport-related offences.

The Transport Agency may also take into account any other relevant matter which they consider is in the public interest when determining your fitness to hold any licence.

TSL label

The Land Transport Rule: Operator Licensing 2017 requires all vehicles operating under a goods service licence to display a TSL label.

TSL labels are required so that operators who rent, lease, borrow or share vehicles can move their details easily between vehicles. The labels also allow a passenger or enforcement officer to identify the licence the service is working under.